I support Ruby Veridiano in her bid to become Alicia Keys' Head Blogger of IAAS.com (IAmASuperWoman.com). This decision came after carefully reading each entry from the three finalists, carefully considering their messages, and deciding who I felt had "empowering content" and was "delivering vibrant and optimistic news, opinion, and entertainment "

While all of the final three candidates are excellent writers, I feel that Ruby's entries rise above the rest. The one in particular that simply made me breathless was the one entitled Feeding Our Dreams: The Audacity of a Woman's Achievement. This happens to be one on a topic that all three contestants wrote on, and these common entries help to serve as a foundation upon which I built my opinion. The topic was, "If you could have dinner with Three (3) Super Women, from ANY generation or time period, who would they be and why?"

Ruby's response stands out because she chose not only two people from history, the great writer bell hooks and civil rights activist Yuri Kochiyama, but she also chose "A teenage version of my two-year old-niece Isabelle, who, in this metaphor, will be too young to understand love’s politic, but old enough to absorb the wisdom these women can offer." She connected the past to the future--realizing that our futures are so dependent on the lessons we take from the past.

With all due respect, the responses from the other two contestants were more typical. While they chose amazing individuals, they chose individuals from history or from the present. Nobody but Ruby chose someone from the future.

Other entries also demonstrate Ruby's empowering content and vibrant and optimistic news. She showcases other social justice-oriented businesses that do not compromise style in her entry Looking Good For The Movement. Ruby also describes examples of her ability to empower through her work with youth in her entry Raising the Roof (and the Classroom Standard), in which she writes, "Fist up, guards down--there is nothing more powerful than an idea born out of a revolution." In a more recent entry she provides tips on building relationships in Building Networks Vs. Building Relationships. Finally, in her oldest entry, she reveals a personal memoir about her immigration experience to America in Style And Conviction, or Why You Can't Fake Being Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez.

Ruby's entries are incredibly, accessible, insightful, and inspiring. I support her in her bid to become the Head Blogger of IAAS.com. Do yourselves a favor and check out this super woman.

Another dream remembered on this Mother's Day, May 9, 2010.

I walked into our master bedroom and inside were my stepfather and mom. He greeted me and I greeted him. I was getting ready for a formal event and left the room to do just that. I reentered the room and my mom was laying in bed. I walked over to her and told her, "I'm going to school now." She asked, "You're not going?" I clarified, "I am going."

When I went downstairs I saw my lola by the door, and she was spitting something out as if she had just drank something incredibly bitter. There was a potted plant near her and another bucket of water. I wanted to ask, "Lola, what are you doing?!" but she was already on her way out the door.

I went to the cemetery today and laid two beautiful bouquets down on my mom's and lola's adjacent graves. It was a cathartic time where I prayed, cried, and thanked them for all their guidance and for pouring themselves into me.

It is a rare occassion that I wake up and remember what I was dreaming about. I know there is significance to my dream when I am able to recall it.

Last night, I dreamt that I was looking for Lola. I was walking everywhere, in search of her, and could not find her. Although I recall this part of my dream, it is hazy to me whether or not I was walking around Sacramento, or walking around an unfamiliar place. My uncle was also in the dream, but he could offer no help in finding her.

I am not sure what it means. It could be my mind reinforcing that I have physically lost my Lola. People say that when you see loved ones in your dreams, they are visiting you. What does it mean when you do not see them, but are looking for them? Certain people believe that one should not desire their loved ones so much, so that their loved ones can make the transition without complication.

I find myself doing all of the above. There are times that I wish I could sit next to her, stroking her hair, holding her hand, or giving her some food or drink. Then there are times where I find myself glad that she is no longer lacking quality of life.

These feelings are similar to how I felt after my mom died on October 18, 2000. I reacted negatively to her death in all aspects of my life--academically, personally, physically, emotionally, mentally, economically, and socially. I desire to do better this time. It is almost ten years later and I am in a different place in my life and living under different circumstances. My Lola was a source of strength for me when I was dealing with my mom's death or any other difficult situation. I do not have her to turn to this time. Fortunately, I do have my mom's memories, her teachings, and my Lola's memories and teachings. They have taught me well. I will honor them both through my life.